A walk to Rackham Banks

A walk from Burpham to Rackham Banks, along the South Downs Way, past the Amberley Chalk Pits museum to Houghton Bridge,and then returning by way of North Stoke.

Ordnance Survey Map: Landranger No 197/ 1-50000
Or for more detail Explorer No 121/ 1-25000

Distance 8miles. Time 3 1/2 hours.

Take the turning just past Arundel railway station
on the A27 to Burpham. Do not go into the village but at the beginning of the houses take the road opposite you on a sharp left hand bend. Care is needed for this as there is a large bank on your left and vision is impaired. When the road levels out and turns left park on the grass.

Start of walk

Walk north from start towards Peppering High Barn. Now converted to a dwelling. Take the footpath on the right by the side of the barn as picture on the right

Barn now converted

Carry on up this track which is uphill all the way to Rackham Banks. Ignore all footpaths on left and right. When you reach the junction as picture on the right take the left hand path. Follow this path round and ignore the path on your left as the path swings round to the right. Continue on to Rackham Banks where you join the South Downs Way as the picture lower left

Rackham Banks

Parham Park from Rackham Banks

Looking towards Rackham

Picture on the left is looking down from Rackham Banks. Now turn West downhill on the South Downs Way as the picture on the right

South Downs Way

Glider being taken up from the airfield at Storrington.

Amberley village from the South Downs Way with the river Arun in the background

When you see the track going round to Downs Farm the South Downs Way takes the path in the picture on the left. This drops you down to a road where you turn right to the junction as the picture on the right.Turn left into High Titten

Looking down into Amberley Chalk Pits Museum

As you walk down this road over to your left below you is the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum. At the bottom of the road cross over and turn left . Follow this path round and under the railway bridge, turning right where you can purchase refreshments whilst looking over the River Arun and Houghton Bridge, as the picture on the right

Houghton Bridge

Stoke Road

When you are ready return to the main road and cross over into Stoke Road. Picture on the left, this turns into a tree lined road after the first few property's. At the junction in the picture on the right turning right will take you round to North Stoke with it's church. You turn left and follow this road uphill.

Turn left here

The Arun Valley line

The picture on the left shows the Arun valley line with a train just about to enter a tunnel this is on your right as you head up the road.When you reach the junction in the picture on the right take the right hand path that swings round to your right and brings you back to Peppering High Barn and back to your car.

Take the right fork


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